J&J prostate cancer drug reduces risk of cancer spread and death in late-stage study

J&J’s Erleada plus hormone therapy given six months before and after prostate surgery made patients nine times more likely to have little-to-no detectable cancer at surgery and cut risk of spread or death by about 20%.
A year-long course extended the time before needing further treatment to over six years on average (nearly double) and reduced recurrence/death by ~29%, suggesting it could change care for high‑risk localized prostate cancer.
Side effects include hot flashes, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction; J&J plans to seek regulatory approval for earlier-stage use.